CHAPTER 29 —
The Great Forest had never been this loud.
Birds scattered from treetops. Mana dust shimmered through the air like drifting stars. The morning sun spilled through the canopy, revealing thousands of workers, carts, tools, glowing mana engines, spirit beasts, and construction teams gathered across a massive clearing that had been flattened overnight.
Airi floated above everything, eyes sparkling.
"Waaahh… everyone woke up so early!" she said, cheeks puffing with amazement.
Haruto landed beside her, cape lightly brushing the wind.
"Airi. We said construction starts at dawn."
"It is dawn."
"Yes."
"But they came before dawn."
"Because you told them you'd give cookies to the first team that arrives."
Airi froze.
"…Oh."
Below them, dwarves yelled excitedly while holding up their prize: an entire basket of Airi's star-shaped cookies, already half-eaten.
Lyria giggled.
"You should realize by now, Airi, that your cookies have world-level political influence."
Frost nodded with seriousness.
"A single cookie united twelve tribes last week."
Lunara crossed her arms.
"And caused a fight between two mountain lords."
Airi floated down slowly, a little embarrassed.
"Cookies are not meant for chaos…"
Haruto placed a hand on her head.
"They're meant for motivation. And today, we need all the motivation we can get."
Because today was the biggest construction project in modern history.
AETHERIA.THE FIRST MANARAIL.THE FIRST TRACK.
Everyone was buzzing. Everyone was shaking. Everyone was terrified and excited at the same time.
The world had seen the political meeting yesterday.
No one expected Aetheria to start building today.
But that was exactly why the world watched.
Because Aetheria moved faster than logic.
FASTER THAN ANY EMPIRE.
FASTER THAN ANY AGE.
THE WORK BEGINS
The dwarves were the loudest.
"Bring the adamantite beams here!"
"No you idiot! That's the stabilizer plate!"
"Who put a hammer in the soup pot!? WHO!?"
Haruto closed his eyes.
"…They're enthusiastic."
Lyria gave him a gentle smile.
"They're dwarves. This is love."
Next were the dark elves, disciplined, silent, precise. They formed perfect lines, passing supplies like living clockwork.
Spirit beasts roamed between them: wood wisps, earth spirits, tiny stone golems carrying tools bigger than themselves, even a few timid fire sprites hovering to warm the metal plates.
Airi observed everything, writing in her tiny notebook.
"We must make sure no one gets hurt… make sure the beasts do not wander too close to the metal… make sure the dwarves do not drink too early…"
She scribbled faster.
"…and make sure Lunara does not start flexing near diplomats again."
Lunara snorted.
"They should be honored."
Frost added calmly.
"Several fainted yesterday."
"Wimps."
While Airi managed safety and workers, Haruto supervised the technical side. The mana engines were lined up like glowing steel beasts, each humming with controlled power.
Haruto crouched beside one engine and pressed his palm onto the core.
Mana pulsed.
Stable.
Alive.
Beautiful.
Dwarf engineer Bramun waddled up beside him, beard braided with metal rings.
"Prince of Death! The stabilization core is smoother than a baby troll's bottom! This engine could pull ten carriages on its own!"
Haruto nodded.
"Good. But don't overspec it. We need reliability, not explosions."
Bramun laughed loudly.
"No promises!"
"Bramun."
"…Fine, fine. No explosions."
Haruto muttered.
"Why does every dwarf think explosions are a default feature…"
LAND MARKING: OPENING THE FOREST
The first task was simple.
Open a straight path through the Great Forest.
Simple in theory.
Absolutely insane in practice.
But Airi… did not do things normally.
She floated into the sky, raised both hands, and called out:
"Spirit beasts! Please help clear the land! But don't hurt the trees too much, only the path!"
The forest trembled.
A soft wind blew.
Then…
Thwump! Thwump! Thwump!
Three massive earth spirits the size of small houses rose from the ground. They blinked at Airi, awaiting orders like oversized puppies.
Airi pointed forward proudly.
"We need a path that is wide enough for two large trains!"
The ground spirits nodded.
BUM. BUM. BUM.
Trees gently folded away like bending grass.
Not broken. Not destroyed.
Just moved aside with nature magic so clean and elegant it made several elven elders cry.
Two rivers spirits surged from the stream nearby, shaping the riverbank edge where the track would run. Air spirits lifted sawdust and roots away. Even minor forest creatures helped: squirrels, leaf sprites, moss rabbits.
Haruto watched quietly.
"This is… beautiful."
Lyria smiled softly.
"Airi does not force nature to move. She asks."
Lunara smirked.
"Of course nature listens. Airi is basically a walking sunshine spell with tiny legs."
Airi twirled midair happily.
"Onii Chan look! Look look! The path is so straight! Frost can run here without bumping into anything!"
Frost raised his paw modestly.
"I can run anywhere without bumping into anything."
Lunara poked him.
"Show-off."
POLITICAL EYES WATCHING
On a floating platform overlooking the entire operation, political envoys from all empires observed the scene.
Solaris minister Selene leaned forward.
"…They cleared land without destroying the forest."
Dominion's envoy Toren crossed his arms.
"They're faster than our entire construction corps."
The Velnar envoy was trembling.
"…That tiny girl is controlling elemental titans with… cuteness."
Abyssion's envoy simply whispered:
"Emperor Kuroz will be pleased."
Multiple diplomats looked terrified by those words.
Airi flew up to greet them with snacks.
"Good morning! You must be hungry!"
Half the political observers panicked immediately.
"P-Princess Airi is approaching!"
"Quick, look serious!"
"A toddler is coming. Try not to look weak!"
Airi held out a basket.
"Snacks?"
The Abyssion envoy, wearing skull-themed robes, hesitated.
"…Thank you."
He bit one.
His eyes widened.
"…This is the greatest thing I have ever tasted."
Solaris nodded aggressively.
"Agreed."
Dominion was already eating a third one.
Airi smiled proudly and flew away.
The envoys stared at each other in stunned silence.
Solaris whispered:
"…I understand now why her brother is feared. If she weaponized these cookies, no army would resist."
THE ENGINE TEST ZONE
Far at the end of the clearing lay an open platform where the first mana engine prototype would be tested.
This machine was a small-scale version of the future locomotive.
A meter tall. Two meters long. Sleek metal alloy reinforced with dwarven runes. The core glowed soft blue.
The dwarves circled it like excited children around a campfire.
"READY THE ENGINE!"
"CHECK THE FLOW!"
"RUNES STABLE!"
Haruto stood in front of them.
Airi hopped beside him.
"Onii Chan! When it moves… will it go fast?"
"It will go fast enough."
"How fast is that?"
"…Fast."
Airi nodded respectfully.
The dark elves adjusted the track plates.
The spirit beasts created a smooth dirt lane.
A miniature straight rail section was ready.
Haruto touched the engine, channeling his mana.
The runes lit up.
The core vibrated.
Waves of energy rippled through the air.
The entire crowd leaned forward.
Then..
FZZZHHHHMMM!
⚡ The engine roared to life.
Light burst from its core.
Wind exploded outward.
The miniature train shot forward like a blue comet.
FWOOOOOSHHHH—!
The dwarves screamed in joy.
"IT MOVES!"
"THE LITTLE BEAST LIVES!"
Airi gasped with sparkling eyes.
"It is like a puppy!"
Lyria clapped.
"It is adorable!"
The engine zipped across the small track and braked smoothly at the other end.
Perfect.
Flawless.
Beautiful.
Haruto exhaled as the whole workforce erupted into cheers.
"This… was the first breath."
He looked at Airi.
"The real construction begins now."
DARK ELVES AND DWARVES: PERFECT TEAMS
Dwarves hammered the rail plates.
Dark elves carved stabilization runes.
Spirit beasts flattened the soil.
Elven architects measured angles.
Humans from allied kingdoms assisted with transport and logistics.
Airi made sure no one overworked.
"Hydration break!"
"Wear helmets!"
"Do not ride the spirit beasts without permission!"
"Do not feed the stone golem cookies!"
A small golem stared at Airi with hopeful pebble eyes.
She gave it a cookie anyway.
The golem vibrated happily and almost exploded.
"SPIKE!"
"Do not feed golems sugar!" Haruto shouted, grabbing the golem before it detonated.
"Sorry…" Airi whispered.
Lyria giggled uncontrollably as Haruto put out the tiny mana fire.
"You two are a disaster."
"A cute disaster," Lunara corrected.
THE FIRST SABOTAGE ATTEMPT
Late afternoon.
Sweat. Dust. Mana mist. Workers bustling.
The first 60 meters of track were almost complete.
Airi floated near a stack of materials when she suddenly felt it.
A wrong mana pulse.
"…Onii Chan."
Haruto appeared instantly.
"What is it?"
Airi pointed toward the supply shed.
"I feel something… angry."
Haruto reached out with senses.
There.
A weak but malicious mana trace.
He dashed first.
Airi followed.
Inside the shed, a cloaked figure was placing explosive talismans near the stabilization cores.
Haruto's presence hit them like a mountain.
"What are you doing."
The figure froze.
Turned.
Dropped the talisman.
And sprinted out.
Frost appeared in front of them instantly.
The saboteur crashed nose-first into a wall of fur.
They bounced off and hit the ground.
Lunara grabbed them by the collar before they could run again.
"Trying to break my track? Bold."
The cloak fell off.
Everyone saw the crest on the saboteur's sleeve.
A noble's crest.
A very familiar one.
Solaris ambassador Selene's eyes widened.
"That crest… that belongs to Lord Vareon. He has been against Aetheria gaining any influence."
Haruto crouched in front of the saboteur.
Cold eyes.
Dark aura.
"Explain."
The saboteur trembled.
"I… I was paid… to delay construction. To embarrass Aetheria. To show the world you can't build something so big."
Airi frowned deeply.
"That is very mean."
The saboteur burst into tears.
Airi sighed and patted their head awkwardly.
"It is okay. Just… don't do it again."
Haruto stood up.
"Turn them over to the Dominion guards. They will question them without torture."
Selene nodded sharply.
"I will inform Emperor Cassian."
The political envoys exchanged glances.
Nobody dared challenge Aetheria now.
Not with Lunara growling in the background.
Not with Frost sniffing for more saboteurs.
Not with Haruto emanating death mana like a slow thunderstorm.
And not with Airi glaring with disappointed little-sister energy.
The saboteur whimpered.
"I'm sorry…"
Airi pat them again.
"No explosions today. Please."
THE LAST METERS
Sunset arrived.
The sky flashed orange and gold through the treetops.
Workers gathered.
Sweat dripping.
Tools clinking.
Mana cores glowing.
Haruto held the final rail plate in his hands.
Airi floated to his side.
"Onii Chan…"
"Yes?"
"…This is the first rail ever."
Haruto smiled gently.
"Yes."
"And we made it?"
"We did."
Airi's eyes trembled.
"Can… can I place the last bolt?"
Haruto placed the bolt in her palm.
"Only you can."
The entire clearing fell silent.
Dwarves bowed their heads.
Dark elves stepped back respectfully.
Spirit beasts sat down in a wide circle.
Lyria, Frost, and Lunara watched quietly from behind.
Airi hovered above the track.
She pressed the bolt into the final slot.
Her tiny hand glowed with soft golden mana.
Click.
The track hummed.
Mana flowed.
Light ran across the entire 100 meters of steel, turning it into a glowing line of promise.
Airi blinked away tears.
"This is… really happening."
Haruto placed his hand on her shoulder.
"This is only the beginning."
The whole construction site erupted into cheers so loud it shook the trees.
Dwarves lifted Airi into the air.
"PRINCESS AIRI! THE FIRST BUILDER!"
Dark elves bowed respectfully.
Spirit beasts howled, chirped, and roared in harmony.
Lyria clapped above them, scattering petals of light.
Frost let out a deep proud growl.
Lunara grinned widely.
"Aetheria has taken its first step."
Haruto looked at the glowing rail.
One hundred meters.
Just one hundred.
But it felt like touching the future.
"Tomorrow," he whispered softly, "we continue."
Airi held the shining bolt close to her chest.
Her smile trembled.
"Onii Chan… someday… everyone will travel on these rails."
Haruto nodded.
"And they will remember who laid the first track."
Aetheria did not sleep that night.
The rails glowed until dawn.
And somewhere far away, the world watched a tiny princess lay the foundation of an age that would change everything.
END OF CHAPTER 29 — Laying the First Track